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1953 Fiat 8V Navigation
The Fiat 8V (the Otto Vu) made its public debut at the Geneva Auto Salon in March of 1952. The car was powered by Fiat's new 70-degree, overhead-valve V8 engine designed by Dante Giacosa. A total of 114 examples of the 8V were built, and 40 of these had Fiat factory coachwork while the rest were finished by other Italian carrozzerie. Ghia built 15 of these 8V Supersonics designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi.
This car is thought to have been the one shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show. The original owner of this car was Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, who then sold it to Briggs Cunningham. It was one of two Supersonics bought by Darrin. This car disappeared for a time, but re-appeared in the early 1960s.
This car is thought to have been the one shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show. The original owner of this car was Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, who then sold it to Briggs Cunningham. It was one of two Supersonics bought by Darrin. This car disappeared for a time, but re-appeared in the early 1960s.
This Fiat 8V Supersonic is powered by a 1,996 overhead valve alloy V8 engine offering 110 horsepower and backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. There is an independent suspension and four-wheel Alfin drum brakes. It was built by Ghia in 1953 and painted ivory, while and finished in white with red leather, a front grille with additional lights and no bumpers. This car was built alongside its stablemate, #0039, by Ghia. The two Supersonics were shipped from Genoa, Italy, to the USA by 'Dutch' Darrin. Darrin believed he could sell the two Supersonics in New York for a profit. The following year, the car was acquired by Briggs Swift Cunningham to gift to his wife, Lucie. Cunningham invited Darrin to drive the Supersonic to the 12-Hour Grand Prix at the Sebring on March 6, 1954. Darrin drove the car on the 1,330 mile road trip in time for Friday practice. At that point in history, the car had less than 3,000 miles on the odometer. After a test drive, Cunningham wrote a check for $9,500. After the Sebring event, Cunningham presented the Supersonic to his wife, who drove the car throughout 1954 until her husband sold it to a dealer in Hartford, Connecticut.
Dr. Webb of California acquired the 8V in 1959, who registered it with the license plate TYF835. In 1962 it was repainted in Metallic Medium Gray. A year later it was acquired by Bruce Pierce, who had the original transmission and engine replaced with a Chevrolet V8 and drive train. The car was then purchased by Erik Nielsen of California who registered it under MGC425 and submitted it to another repaint, this time in Metallic Gold.
In 1981, it entered the care of Jarl de Boer of Walnut Creek, California. While in his care, the car was painted Regency Red and the left door replaced. It was registered under 206VOB and retained by Mr. de Boer until 2001, when ownership transferred to Paul Sable of PA. In 2012, it entered the collection of an individual from Belgium. Since then, it has received a nut-and-bolt restoration back to its original specification. It was returned to its original livery of white over red with Borrani wire wheels, exactly as it first appeared at the World Motor Sports Show in Madison Square Gardens in 1954.
In 2017, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and shown at the Salon Retromobile in February, 2018, in Paris at the Portes de Versailles, where it was acquired by the current UK based collector.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019
Dr. Webb of California acquired the 8V in 1959, who registered it with the license plate TYF835. In 1962 it was repainted in Metallic Medium Gray. A year later it was acquired by Bruce Pierce, who had the original transmission and engine replaced with a Chevrolet V8 and drive train. The car was then purchased by Erik Nielsen of California who registered it under MGC425 and submitted it to another repaint, this time in Metallic Gold.
In 1981, it entered the care of Jarl de Boer of Walnut Creek, California. While in his care, the car was painted Regency Red and the left door replaced. It was registered under 206VOB and retained by Mr. de Boer until 2001, when ownership transferred to Paul Sable of PA. In 2012, it entered the collection of an individual from Belgium. Since then, it has received a nut-and-bolt restoration back to its original specification. It was returned to its original livery of white over red with Borrani wire wheels, exactly as it first appeared at the World Motor Sports Show in Madison Square Gardens in 1954.
In 2017, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and shown at the Salon Retromobile in February, 2018, in Paris at the Portes de Versailles, where it was acquired by the current UK based collector.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,750,000-USD $2,250,000
Sale Price :
USD $2,260,000
2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,750,000-USD $1,950,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,625,000
1953 Fiat 8V Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Fiat 8V
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#: 106.000053 Sold for USD$2,425,000 2023 RM Sothebys : New York | |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#: 106.000043 Sold for USD$2,260,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Berlinetta by Zagato Chassis#: 106.000026 Sold for USD$2,900,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Coupe by Ghia Chassis#: 106.000042 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#: 106 000049 Sold for USD$2,040,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Berlinetta Chassis#: 106.000011 Sold for USD$1,251,580 2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland | |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#: 106.000041 Sold for USD$2,040,000 2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic Chassis#: 106.000043 Sold for USD$1,625,000 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Berlinetta Elaborata Chassis#: 106.000022 Sold for USD$1,485,000 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#: 106 000049 Sold for USD$1,375,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1953 FIAT 8V SUPERSONIC Chassis#: 106.000049 Sold for USD$1,815,000 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet by Vignale Chassis#: 106.000050 Sold for USD$1,218,560 2015 RM Sotheby's : Villa Erba | |
1953 Fiat 8V Coupé by Ghia Chassis#: 106 000042 Sold for USD$946,000 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic Chassis#: 106.000035 Sold for USD$1,760,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Chassis#: 106.000065 Sold for USD$750,000 2012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Elaborata Chassis#: 106.000022 Sold for USD$1,127,500 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic Chassis#: 106.000035 Sold for USD$1,705,000 2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Series II Berlinetta Sold for USD$400,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Chassis#: 106000095 Sold for USD$200,640 2005 Bonhams - Les Grandes Marques a Monaco |
Fiat 8Vs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Fiat 8V's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia | 106.000041 | 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,800,000 | $2,200,000 | |
1953 FIAT 8V ELABORATA | 106.000022 | 2016 Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | |||
1953 Fiat 8V Coupe | 106*000051* | 2015 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | $1,600,000 | $2,000,000 | |
1953 FIAT 8V COUPE VIGNALE | 2013 ARTCURIAL MOTORCARS À RÉTROMOBILE | ||||
1953 FIAT 8V Coupé | 106000065 | 2010 Bonhams Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile | $530,000 | $650,000 |
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1953 Fiat 8V
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